Portable electric grill having a domed lid and method of use

Abstract

A portable electric grill and method of use are described. The grill includes a double walled dome lid, a basin having a cavity, a grill that interfaces with the basin, a first heating element, a second heating element, a temperature controlling component, and a support that interfaces with a surface. The double walled dome lid includes a dome lid inner wall and a dome lid outer wall. The dome lid inner wall and the dome lid outer wall are joined at a base of the double walled dome lid. The basin interfaces with the base of the double walled dome lid, and the basin includes a hinge coupling the basin and the double walled dome lid. The first heating element is radially disposed about an exterior surface of the dome lid inner wall and within the dome lid outer wall. The second heating element is disposed within the basin cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electric grill comprising:
 a double walled dome lid having a perimeter, said double walled dome lid including a dome lid inner wall and a dome lid outer wall, wherein the dome lid inner wall and dome lid outer wall are joined at a base of the double walled dome lid; 
 a basin having a cavity, the basin interfacing with the base of the double walled dome lid, the basin including a hinge coupling the basin and the double walled dome lid; 
 a grill configured to interface with the basin cavity; 
 a first heating element comprising a heating belt extending from said base that is radially disposed about an exterior surface of the dome lid inner wall along the entire perimeter, and wherein the heating element is positioned within the dome lid outer wall; 
 a second heating element that is disposed within the basin cavity and spaced from the grill; 
 a temperature controlling component electrically coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element, said temperature controlling component allowing for selective operation of said first and second heating elements, wherein in a first mode of operation said first heating element is activated, in a second mode of operation said second heating element is activated, and in a third mode of operation both said first and said second heating elements are activated; 
 a junction box mounted on a rear portion of said double walled dome lid, said junction box receiving a power cable, leads from said first and second heating element, and a communication cable connected with said temperature controlling component; and 
 a support configured to interface with a surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  wherein the basin further including a drain. 
     
     
       3. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  wherein the grill is an aluminum hot plate. 
     
     
       4. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  wherein the support includes a plurality of legs, each leg having a hinge. 
     
     
       5. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  wherein the support includes a pedestal. 
     
     
       6. The portable electric grill of  claim 5  wherein the pedestal includes an oil reservoir operatively coupled to a drain in the basin. 
     
     
       7. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  wherein insulating material is radially disposed about said first heating element and positioned within the dome lid outer wall, wherein a top of the double walled dome does not include insulating materials. 
     
     
       8. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  further wherein the first heating element is not disposed in a top portion of said double walled dome lid. 
     
     
       9. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  wherein the temperature controlling component includes a thermostat. 
     
     
       10. The portable electric grill of  claim 1  wherein the temperature controlling component includes a thermocouple. 
     
     
       11. The portable electric grill of  claim 5  wherein a bottom of said basin includes mounting studs configured to interface with a pedestal mounting bracket within said pedestal. 
     
     
       12. A method for cooking with a portable electric grill, the method comprising,
 receiving a food product on a grill, the grill interfacing with a basin, the basin having a cavity and a support; 
 covering the grill with a double walled dome lid having a perimeter, said double walled dome lid including a dome lid inner wall and a dome lid outer wall, wherein the dome lid inner wall and dome lid outer wall are joined at a base of the double walled dome lid, further wherein the base interfaces with the basin to form a cooking chamber; 
 receiving a cooking input at a temperature controlling component that includes a first heating element and a second heating element, wherein the first heating element comprises a heating belt extending from said base and being radially disposed about an exterior surface of the dome lid inner wall along the entire perimeter, the heating belt positioned within the dome lid outer wall, and the second heating element is disposed within the basin cavity, the second heating element being spaced from the grill, said temperature controlling component allowing for selective operation of said first and second heating elements, wherein in a first mode of operation said first heating element is activated, in a second mode of operation said second heating element is activated, and in a third mode of operation both said first and said second heating elements are activated; and 
 heating the cooking chamber with at least one of the first heating element and the second heating element in said first mode of operation, said second mode of operation, or said third mode of operation, so that the food product is uniformly cooked. 
 
     
     
       13. The method for cooking with the portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the grill is an aluminum hot plate. 
     
     
       14. The method for cooking with the portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the first heating element includes said heating belt and an insulating material is radially disposed about said first heating element and positioned within the dome lid outer wall, and wherein a top of the double walled dome does not include insulating materials. 
     
     
       15. The method for cooking with the portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the first heating element includes said heating belt and an insulating material is disposed between the dome lid inner wall and the dome lid outer wall. 
     
     
       16. The method for cooking with the portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the temperature controlling component includes a thermostat. 
     
     
       17. The method for cooking with the portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the temperature controlling component includes a thermocouple. 
     
     
       18. The method for cooking with portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the basin further includes a drain. 
     
     
       19. The method for cooking with portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the support includes a plurality of legs, each leg having a hinge. 
     
     
       20. The method for cooking with portable electric grill of  claim 12  wherein the support includes a pedestal, and a bottom of said basin includes mounting studs configured to interface with a pedestal mounting bracket within said pedestal.